We entered San Miguel de Allende in the afternoon of January 10th after a foggy trip across the mountains from San Luis Potosi. La Siesta Hotel and RV Park was to be our home for the next four days. San Miguel's bus system is great and each day we caught a bus right in front of the park that took us into town. For 5 pesos (50 cents American money) you can let an experienced driver worry about the hectic traffic. The streets are cobblestone and so narrow you can look into the windows of the businesses as you go by.

Sunday afternoon families gathered on the city plazas to eat, talk and watch their children play. The large Catholic Church at the main plaza was a photographers dream and Apache Indian children dressed in purple and white performed a circle dance as an enthralled crowd gathered to watch. Later a group of Aztec dancers in feathered headdress danced to the beat of flute and drums.

We wanted to linger and watch but the sun was setting and it was darned cold. We got back on the "Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride" bus and returned to the RV park.

For the next four days we tramped up and down the streets and discovered beautiful parks, great restaurants and very photogenic buildings. We photographed many churches, which are certainly elaborate and ubiquitous in Mexico. No flash photography was allowed so it was tough to get decent interior shots. As we strolled the streets we encountered many shabby looking buildings but partially open gates revealed courtyards lush with plants and flowers, soothing music and small restaurants with rooftop gardens. Meals seemed to be about 100 pesos or $10.00 each whether you choose a nice restaurant or one that is open to the street.

We were told that the full time population in San Miguel de Allende is made up of about 10 percent North American or European people and 90 percent Mexican or Indian. Everyone we met was friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. We fell in love with this beautiful little city just as did a man we ran into on the street who said he came for a four-day vacation five years ago.

It was tempting to linger in San Miguel but so much more of Mexico awaits our exploration and we must move on. Leaving on 1-14, headed for Queretaro, I (Kathleen) drove the Toyota pickup because there were turns that were just too tight for Matilda to maneuver while towing the truck. What an introduction to Mexican driving.

Comments

It's good to hear from you and the photos are fabulous. We found it pretty easy to fall under the spell of Mexico and I share your passion. We are a bit surprised how quickly you are moving through the country and eagerly await the next installment.

Tenga un viaje seguro.

Cindy Brooke
on Jan 21, 2010 at 07:18PM

The trip looks like great fun, the pictures are beautiful. One of the window photos almost looks like the one they have on photoshop. Hope you all are doing well down there and be careful. Hi Kathleen, we love you Steve, Cindy and family.

Cyndee Kuttler
on Jan 21, 2010 at 08:57PM

The photos are beautiful-wonderful architecture and colors. They are very bright, not dark at all. Here we are experiencing very high winds and gray skies; snow sprinkles the top of the mountain. Enjoy your bright sunshine!

George Ford
on Jan 21, 2010 at 10:10PM

Thanks for the updates. ALMOST makes me want to take the weather cover off of the van and head South... nah, maybe next month.